Frank Drakes

Frank Drakes was a father, building contractor and teacher. He is the second of fourteen children, born to Mr. and Mrs. Mitchell Drakes, of Silver Sands, Christ Church, Barbados. 

He migrated to St. Lucia in 1951 where he met Frances, they fell in love and later married. Their union produced four children.

Over the years he remained faithful and committed to his church. Frank served as Pathfinder Director, Master Guide Leader and Elder in St. Thomas, US VI.

He always worked towards professional development earning several certificates. He was best known as a masonry teacher at Charlotte Amalie High School, St. Thomas, VI.

In 1988, Frank lost Frances. He remained a widower for several years until he met and married Cynthia Symister in St. Thomas. Frank embraced four additional children from his second marriage. 

Due to poor health he migrated to Maryland in 2008 where he lived with his daughter, Ellen, until his passing.

Frank is survived by his wife, Cynthis Symister-Drakes; brothers Dr. Duan Drakes (Gracelyn Drakes), Dr. George Drakes (Wilma Drakes), Wendall Drakes (Marion Drakes) and Joel Drakes; sisters Lelia Drakes and Pamelia Evelyn (Lloyd Evelyn); daughters Louise Drakes-David (Gregory David), Ellen Drakes, Ada Symister, Ana Minerva Fonesca (Irlando Fonesca); sons Milton Symister, Jr., Dr. David Symister (Dr. Gisell Batista); grandchildren Gregory David II (Scherika David), Kelvin Scott, Brianna David and Kyshaun Drakes; great grandchildren Malik David and Adam Symister; also survived by several neices and nephews. 

Visitation will be at Metropolitan Seventh-Day Adventist Church, 6307 Riggs Road, Hyattsville, MD 20783 on Sunday, October 14, 2018 from 9:30 am until 10:30 am with Funeral Service at 10:30 am. Interment following services at Fort Lincoln Cemetery, Brentwood, MD.